Properties | Student | June 28, 2024
A Glorious Beginning: The Mansion’s Origin
2448 Auburn Avenue stands the southeast corner of Auburn and McMillan in Mount Auburn. The property was built in the mid 1860s, designed by renowned Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford. The late Victorian Italianate mansion showcased the wealth and ambition of its era.
Elmore W. Cunningham: a Prominent Meat-packer
The initial owner, Elmore W. Cunningham and his wife Lucy, hired Hannaford to design his home in the early 1860s. Cunningham was a successful meat packer of the time.
Eugene Zimmerman: From Steamboat Captain to Industrial Tycoon
Eugene and Marietta Zimmerman were the mansion’s second owners. A a steamboat captain during the Civil War, Zimmerman later acquired extensive holdings in the oil business. After the war, Eugene sold to John D. Rockefeller in exchange for shares in Standard Oil where he became a substantial stockholder. He used his income to invest in railroads, becoming president of several lines, including the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway. When his wife died shortly after the birth of his daughter, Helena, he sent her to France where she was lived for many years; she married the 9th Duke of Manchester and became Countess. If you've seen the PBS Classic television series Downton Abbey, the saga may sound familiar: a British lord married a Cincinnati heiress to fix his family’s financial issues.
A New Purpose: From Mansion to Parish
Eventually, the Catholic Church acquired the mansion and repurposed it. It became a church, school, and parish house for Holy Name Roman Catholic Church. In 1951, the diocese built a new church next door.
The Renovation Journey: Breathing New Life into History
In 2013, the archdiocese sold 2448 Auburn Avenue. A rehabber bought it but struggled with renovations. The mansion remained vacant until we recently acquired it. Our goal was to preserve the mansion's history while updating it for modern use. Our team was able to salvage almost all of the existing doors, hardwood floors, windows, and millwork. Any millwork that was removed during the renovation was restored and installed in other locations of the house. We refinished the pine and red oak throughout and restored the existing windows with new ropes and weights and re-glazed. All but one fireplace was able to be salvaged. Of course, all new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC was added throughout. Our team found this project incredibly rewarding!
